A Distinct Voice

Hot and humid weather made playtime in the yard almost unbearable. I just couldn’t push my kids on their swings one more time in the stifling southern heat, but we were all going stir-crazy in the house. School had been out for a month and a half and we’d done every craft, watched every movie, and played every game we had.

Then a brilliant thought hit me. We can go out to eat for lunch and the kids can play on the indoor playground. I called my best friend and we agreed to meet at the restaurant early to avoid the lunchtime rush. The crowded parking lot told me that many other moms had the same great idea.

After our kids inhaled their food and ran off to the air conditioned jungle gym, Christie and I leaned back to enjoy our moment of peace and adult conversation. Our respite lasted for about ten minutes before a cry filled the air.

Instantly, a hush fell over the fast food restaurant as each mommy tried to determine if the child crying belonged to her. Within seconds a mom got up and found her little boy. Several kisses later, his “boo boo” felt better and he took off down the slide again.

I find it amazing that in a room crammed full of loud children, a mother can always recognize the sounds of her own child. To her, her child is one in a million. A mom instinctively knows her child’s laughter, cry, and voice, and can pick them out above the fray. In the same way, God knows our voices distinctly.

Multiple studies have reported that roughly one-third of the population identifies as Christian. That averages out to be a little more than two billion people. Two BILLION! If even only half of them are praying at one time, the sheer volume of words is astounding.

Yet the Lord hears each and every prayer and can distinguish our individual voices. Psalm 91:15 is a beautiful reminder that when we are hurt or need tender loving care, God hears us and responds. “He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.” (NASB) There’s no need to remind the Lord who we are. He can differentiate our voice out of all the people who belong to Him. When we cry out to Him, He answers.

How does God know our voice? We are His children and He is our creator and Father. He makes it His business to know our business. With countless people praying to Him every second of the day, God does not get us confused.

Never doubt that your prayers matter to God or that He knows your voice. He longs for you to talk to Him and can hear everything you say. To Him, you are one in two billion!